BROWNSVILLE – Investigators with the Cameron County Public Health Department have completed their report over the illness outbreak that caused people to be sick after eating at a Brownsville restaurant.

According to a press release, the department concluded that the food poisoning was caused from consuming bistec tacos at El Rey del Taco.

The department received 33 reports of people who were treated at local emergency rooms that prompted the investigation.

“The majority of the individuals reported experiencing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea within hours of their meal. They recovered shortly after receiving appropriate treatment and were discharged home without any hospital admissions,” said Dr. James Castillo with the Cameron County Health Authority.

The county health department worked jointly with the Brownsville Public Health Department, Texas Department of State Health Services and local hospitals.

“We are confident that this is not an ongoing threat to public health as the necessary measures have been taken to resolve the situations,” stated Dr. Castillo. “We will continue working with the health care providers and municipalities to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.”

Dr. Castillo added that the type of food poisoning was "a toxemia associated with the ingestion of preformed microbial toxins. It is not an infection."

Food poisoning is caused by eating contaminated food and the contamination of food could be due to viruses, parasites, bacteria or bacterial toxins present within the food itself.